Ryanair challenges Air Berlin ownership ‘conspiracy’

Ryanair has lodged formal complaints with the European Commission and Germany’s competition authority over what it calls a brewing “conspiracy” surrounding the future ownership of broke carrier Air Berlin.

Air Berlin yesterday filed for insolvency after its main shareholder Etihad Airways withdrew financial support.

That led to the German government providing a €150m bridging loan to the airline to ensure flights and services continue for the immediate future, with Lufthansa circling as a potential buyer of part of the business.